Magnitude of acceleration given the orbit

[Shadow236]

Homework Statement

A satellites are placed in a circular orbit that is 3.22 × 10⁵ m above the surface of the earth. What is the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity at this distance?

Homework Equations

a = MG/R^2

The Attempt at a Solution

For the above formula I have trouble because I do not know the mass of the satellite. I end up with

a = M (6.67 x 10^-11)/(6.38 x 10^6 + 3.22 x 10^5)^2

 

[gneill]

Homework Statement

A satellites are placed in a circular orbit that is 3.22 × 10⁵ m above the surface of the earth. What is the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity at this distance?

Homework Equations

a = MG/R^2

The Attempt at a Solution

For the above formula I have trouble because I do not know the mass of the satellite. I end up with

a = M (6.67 x 10^-11)/(6.38 x 10^6 + 3.22 x 10^5)

Which mass does the M in your Relevant Equation represent?

Also, be sure to not forget that the radius in the denominator must be squared.

 

[Shadow236]

Does it represent the mass of the earth?

EDIT: It does represent the mass of the Earth. Thank you!